Automated business system and method of vending and returning a consumer product

ABSTRACT

System and method of dispensing disc-based media and other consumer products. A user can interact with an automated business system to select disc-based media for rental and/or purchase. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the interior of the automated business system and dispense the selection through a port to the user. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the port in a return process.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/477,619 filed Jun. 11, 2003, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the years, the world of home entertainment has changed radically.These days, most U.S. households get at least 50 channels of televisionprogramming and have a color television and a VCR and/or a DVD player.The way in which pre-recorded programming is accessed by the consumer ischanging rapidly providing the consumer with a wide range of options.

People have had VCRs in their homes for years, and in the United States,there are video rental stores everywhere. More and more households areadding advanced components to their entertainment setup to create hometheater systems. As more and more households purchase DVD players, videogame consoles, and other advanced media products, video rental storeshave had to adjust their inventory to accommodate this changing demandfor more advanced media, such as the digital versatile disc (“DVD”).Today, video rental stores include a variety of media, e.g., featurelength film DVDs, video games, audio CDs, and VHS videos. In addition,other companies have recently entered the market to offer households amethod of renting movies or other media different from the traditionalpractice of visiting the local video rental store.

For example, Blockbuster®, Hollywood Video®, and Movie Gallery® operatethe traditional video rental store. A consumer completes a membershipform to become a member of the store, which allows the consumer to rentmovies, games, etc. from the available inventory for a rental fee peritem. Generally, the rental fee is based on the length of time, e.g., 2days, the consumer has until the item must be returned to the store. Ifthe item is not returned to the store on time, the consumer is assessedan additional fee/fine for the additional length of time the consumerholds onto the item. Generally, the item is required to be returned tothe same store.

NetFlix® is a mail-based method of DVD movie rental. The consumerbecomes a member by paying a monthly subscription fee, which allows theconsumer to select as many DVDs each month for viewing as long as theconsumer has no more than three DVDs at anyone time. The consumerselects DVDs at the NetFlix web site. The DVD is mailed via first-classmail to the consumer, and the consumer returns the DVD to NetFlix usinga prepaid mailer at a convenient time—there is no deadline for returningthe DVD. After NetFlix receives the returned DVD, NetFlix sends out thenext DVD on the consumer's selection list, which is stored on theNetFlix Internet server.

AOL/Time Warner and Cox Communications® provide pay-per-view andvideo-on-demand services to cable subscribers. The consumer pays amonthly fee to subscribe to the cable services, which provides access tothe company's selection of movies. The consumer selects a movie in thecomfort of their home and is charged a movie rental fee that appears onthe consumer's monthly bill. If the consumer selects a pay-per-viewmovie, the movie plays on the consumer's television withoutinterruption. If the consumer subscribes to digital cable and selects amovie through video-on-demand, the movie plays on the consumer'stelevision, but the consumer also has VCR-like control over the movie tostop and pause as necessary.

Movielink® is a PC download method of movie rental. Several major moviestudios have collaborated to provide access to movies via computer. Theconsumer selects a movie from the Movielink web site and downloads thefile to a computer for a rental fee. The movie must be viewed on thecomputer and the consumer has a limited amount of time to view the moviebefore it is deleted from the computer memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention includes a method of dispensingdisc-based media. The method comprises selecting the disc-based media,retrieving the disc-based media, reading a radio frequency tag on thedisc-based media, and dispensing the disc-based media.

In another embodiment, the invention includes a method of servicingmultiple users of a disc-based media system. The method comprises afirst user selecting a first disc-based media at the disc-based mediasystem, a second user selecting a second disc-based media at thedisc-based media system at the same time as the first user selected thefirst disc-based media, determining an order in which to service thefirst and second users, retrieving the first and second disc-based mediabased on the order, and dispensing the first disc-based media to thefirst user and the second disc-based media to the second user.

In another embodiment, the invention includes an automated businesssystem comprising a housing, a user station supported by the housing, aretrieval system operable to retrieve disc-based media stored in thehousing, a RFID reader operable to read a RFID tag on the disc-basedmedia, and a port to dispense the disc-based media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an automated business systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of an automated business systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a perspective view of a retrieval system ofthe automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of the automated business systems ofFIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen of a service program that can be used toservice the automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 5 illustrates a screen of a service program that can be used toservice the automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 6 illustrates a screen of a service program that can be used toservice the automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 7 illustrates a screen of a service program that can be used toservice the automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a screen provided by a graphical userinterface of the automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a screen provided by a graphical userinterface of the automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 10 illustrates a screen provided by a graphical user interface ofthe automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 11 illustrates a screen provided by a graphical user interface ofthe automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the retrievalsystem illustrated in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of a retrieval system of theautomated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the automatedbusiness system of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the automatedbusiness systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of an item stored and dispensedfrom the automated business systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of the automatedbusiness systems of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of an automated business systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the automated businesssystems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the automated businesssystems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the automated businesssystems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the automated businesssystems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the automated businesssystems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 33 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the automated businesssystems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the automated businesssystems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the automated businesssystems of FIGS. 1A and 1B according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 36 is a schematic of the automated business systems of FIGS. 1A,1B, and 27 according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limited. The use of“including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected” and“coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled”are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings,and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct orindirect.

In addition, it should be understood that embodiments of the inventioninclude both hardware and electronic components or modules that, forpurposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if themajority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However,one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of thisdetailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment,the electronic based aspects of the invention may be implemented insoftware. As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware andsoftware-based devices, as well as a plurality of different structuralcomponents may be utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, andas described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanicalconfigurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplifyembodiments of the invention and that other alternative mechanicalconfigurations are possible.

Renting or ordering movies is a popular pastime. Therefore, it isdesirable to have a cost-efficient, self-serving fully-automatedentertainment media business system that consumers can interact with torent, return, and/or purchase items. An embodiment of the automatedbusiness system described below relates to disc-based media, e.g., CDs,DVDs, software, and video games. However, the automated business systemis not limited to disc-based media. Additional embodiments of theautomated business system can also dispense audio books on tape, VHSvideotapes, books, video game cartridges, food, health and beautyproducts, clothing, or any other item that may be desirable to rent orpurchase (the product(s) in the automated business system are referredto herein as an “item”).

The automated business system, according to one embodiment of theinvention, can maintain and track an inventory of items. The items inthe preferred embodiment are media related items, such as CDs, DVDs, anddisc-based video games. The items can be uniquely identified with aradio frequency identification tag (referred to herein as “RFID tag”).The items can be added to inventory by inserting the items through aport. The RFID tag on the item can be read at any location in theautomated business system and an entry can be made in the software ofthe automated business system for tracking inventory and other purposes.The owner of the automated business system can add new stock, configuredwith a unique tag, at any time by inserting new items through any accessport. The new items can be activated and revealed based on a systemadministrator's programmed parameters. The compact footprint businesssystem can be located anywhere for consumer use.

When the consumer desires to rent or purchase an item from the automatedbusiness system, the consumer approaches the automated business systemand touches one of the touch panel displays. The consumer can browsethrough the available inventory for rental and/or purchase, view a videoclip of one or more items, reserve one or more items for future rentaland/or purchase, and/or select one or more items for rental and/orpurchase.

If the consumer makes a selection for rental and/or purchase, theautomated business system can retrieve the item or items and positionthe item or items in a port for the consumer to retrieve. When theconsumer is ready to return the item(s), the consumer places the item(s)into the port, and the automated business system can recognize that theitem(s) is being returned. The consumer can be charged for the item(s)upon selection and/or return.

A fully automated storage and retrieval system is illustrated in FIGS.1A and 1B, according to one embodiment of the invention. The automatedstorage and retrieval system can function as a free-standing,fully-integrated automated business system for renting and/or sellingentertainment media, educational media, and productivity software. Theautomated business system is completely integrated and thus is notreliant on an external system for functionality. The automated businesssystem can utilize computer software and hardware, mechanical hardwareand product storage capacity to initiate and complete a rental or saletransaction without external support.

The automated business system 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, candistribute disc-based media, such as DVDs, CDs, video games, andcomputer software. The disc-based media includes a radio frequency tagthat can identify the disc-based media. Other media formats such asaudio cassette tapes and VHS format cassette tapes can also bedistributed through the automated business system 10.

The automated business system 10 includes a frame 14 (illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B), which supports a housing 18. The housing 18 can becomprised of metal, plastic, wood, composite material, or any othersuitable material. The housing 18 can accommodate any number of userstations 22 and can be configured to satisfy the requirements ofretailers throughout the world. The plurality of user stations 22 arepositioned on the automated business system 10 to service multiple userssimultaneously and to process a maximum number of transactions. The sizeof the automated business system 10 can be adjustable and can vary fromthe configuration illustrated. For example, the automated businesssystem 10 can include 2, 4, 6, 8, etc. user stations 22. Depending onthe number of user stations 22 that are included in the automatedbusiness system 10, the internal components, assemblies, and systems, asdescribed below, may also change and are configurable to accommodate andservice the number of user stations 22.

In one example, the automated business system 10 includes four userstations 22. The dimensions of the housing 18 can be about six feet longby about four feet deep by about seven feet high. These dimensions canbe modified to accommodate any retail requirements. In addition, theautomated business system is compliant with the Americans withDisabilities Act (“ADA”).

The housing 18 can include space for brand name(s) of the owner of theautomated business system 10 and any other owner identifiers. Theexterior color, material type and ornamental features of the housing 18can all be modified such that the automated business system 10 canpresent the desired brand(s) in the most appealing and commerciallyeffective manner. The housing 18 can include advertising space for otherbusinesses and/or products.

Each user station 22 can include an interaction system 26 as illustratedin FIGS. 1A and 1B. The housing 18 can support the components andsystems of the consumer interaction system 26. The consumer interactionsystem 26 can include a display 30, which can be a standard display or atouch panel display and a card reader 34 operable to read informationfrom a magnetic stripe on a credit card, debit card, smart card, etc.The card reader 34 can accept all available hard card payment typesincluding credit, debit, smart, and stored value. The card reader 34 canalso read information stored in an integrated circuit embedded in thehard card substrate. Additionally, the card reader 34 can writeinformation to the integrated circuit embedded in the hard cardsubstrate.

The consumer interaction system 26 can include a speaker system 38operable to provide sound to the user. The speaker system 38 can be atraditional driver-based design or a unique design in that sound filesplayed by a user at one of the user stations 22 cannot be heard by otherusers at adjacent user stations 22. In the latter case, each userstation 22 can be uniquely configured and the audio waves of the soundfile are directed to the user at the user station 22. The user station22 can include auxiliary listening devices.

The consumer interaction system 26 can include a printer 42 operable toprint a receipt or any other report and a port 46 operable to dispenseand receive the disc-based media. The port 46 can be formed as afive-slot array as illustrated in FIG. 26. Each slot is separated fromthe adjacent slot. The consumer interaction system 26 can also includeadvanced input and output devices such as a microphone, voicerecognition devices, biometrics devices, etc.

The consumer interaction system 26, in one construction of theinvention, includes a 17″ touch panel display 30 (a suitable display 30is the ELO Intellitouch 5000 17″ touch monitor utilizing surface wavetechnology, which minimizes the loss of brightness or luminescence), aright channel and a left channel full range speaker system 38, a receiptprinter 42, a magnetic stripe and smart card reader 34 (a suitable cardreader 34 is the Magtek Intellistripe 65 card reader), and a five-slotdisc array port 46.

The consumer interaction system 26 can include a processor 50(illustrated in FIG. 3), such as a thin client PC appliance (a suitableprocessor 50 is the Neoware EON Professional 6300 thin client). The PCappliance peripherals including the printer 42, the display 30, the cardreader 34, and the speaker system 38 are driven by, and coupled to, theprocessor 50. The consumer interaction system 26 can include additionalhardware and software applications and is not limited to the hardwareand software applications described herein. Additional hardware andsoftware applications can be utilized to operate in the same or asimilar manner. In addition, it should be noted that the functions ofeach system and/or component can be performed by hardware and/orsoftware and/or a combination of hardware and software.

The processor 50 can communicate, via a switch 52, with a local server54 operable to process the user requests (e.g., rent, return, purchase)entered via the consumer interaction system 26. The server 54 cancommunicate with a retrieval system 58 (described below) operable toreceive instructions from the server 54 and retrieve a particular itemwithin the automated business system 10. The server 54 can communicatewith an administrative computer terminal 62 (described below) operableto perform diagnostic and servicing functions. The administrationcomputer terminal 62 can also communicate with the retrieval system 58to perform diagnostic and servicing functions. The server 54 cancommunicate with a network 66. The network 66 can be accessed by aremote user terminal 70 operable to communicate with the local server54. The network 66 can also be accessed by a remote server 74 operableto communicate with the local server 54.

The network 66 can be built according to any networking technology ortopology or combinations of technologies and topologies and may includemultiple sub-networks. Connections between the server 54 and the network66 can be made through local area networks (“LANs”), wide area networks(“WANs”), public switched telephone networks (“PSTNs”), Intranets, theInternet, and/or any other suitable networks.

The two-way arrows in FIG. 3 represent two-way communication andinformation transfer between the network 66, the server 54, the remoteuser 70, and the server 74, and between the server 54, the processors50, the retrieval system 58, and the administrative computer terminal62.

The servers 54 and 74 can include an operating system for runningvarious software programs and/or a communications application. Inparticular, the server 54 can include a software program(s) 78 that cancommunicate with the processors 50, the retrieval system 58, theadministrative computer terminal 62, and the network 66. The server 54can include the same and/or additional software program(s) that cancommunicate with the remote user terminal 70 and the server 74 via thenetwork 66. The server 54 can communicate with a database 82 operable tostore information received from the processors 50, the server 54, theretrieval system 58, the administrative computer terminal 62, the server74, and the remote user 70. The database 82 can be hosted by the server54 or hosted by the remote server 74.

In one construction of the invention, the automated business system 10features a LAN comprised of a server 54, multiple thin client PCappliances and a high performance switch 52. The server 54 can includeMicrosoft Windows Server 2003 operating system and SQL Server StandardEdition. The server 54 can utilize other software for operation. Theserver 54 can include redundant power supplies, error correcting memory,a 72 G RAID 5 hard disc cluster and 1 G of RAM. The server 54 can alsoutilize multiple, dual port Ethernet network interface cards.

The server 54 is connected to a 200 MB switch 52 that is in turnconnected to each of the thin clients. The LAN data transmissions canoccur over category five cabling or any other suitable network cable orwireless transmission technology.

The thin clients provide delivery of high resolution, full motion videothat can be stored and transmitted by the server 54. The zero-footprintthin client is mounted behind the touch panel display within theconsumer interaction system 26. The thin clients can include Microsoftembedded XP operating system and utilize 512 MB of RAM in lieu of a harddrive where the operating system and application images are stored.

The server 54 can incorporate a high transmission rate modem enablingthe server 54 to communicate with external computing devices.

The network 66 allows a remote computer terminal 72 to communicate withthe server 54 via the Internet. The server 54 can be accessed by apublic web site that communicates with the remote computer terminal 72to provide additional information to the user such as, but not limitedto, item(s) available for rent or purchase, location of the item(s),access to a personal account to review current items rented, and theability to make reservations.

The administrative computer terminal 62 can directly communicate withthe server 54 and/or motion controller 60 (described below) to remotelyservice the automated business system 10. The administrative computerterminal 62 can adjust the speed, sensitivity, and timing of theretrieval system 58, can monitor the status of the paper in the printers42, can verify the power status, and status of the doors of theautomated business system 10 as shown in example service screens and asillustrated in FIGS. 4-7.

The software program(s) 78 that resides on the server 54 can include apoint of sale software application 86 (“POS application”), which isoperable to manage the transactional activity between the user and theserver 54. The POS application 86 can manage all of the transactionaldata and can coordinate multiple simultaneous transactions from theplurality of user stations 22. The POS application 86 can transmitcommands to the retrieval system 58 via a pre-configured applicationprogramming interface. The POS application 86 can transmit data toexternal systems (via the server modem) including, but not limited to,administrative servers, such as server 74, legacy systems, and remoteuser terminals 70. The remote user terminals 70 communicate with theserver 54 via the network 66, which can be the Internet.

The POS application 86 can transmit data to any external system via theserver modem in real time or in batch mode. The data transmission can becustomized to accommodate a specific information system need. The POSapplication 86 can also transmit data in an extensible markup language(XML) format The data can be transmitted in an authenticated, encrypted,or other secure manner.

The POS application 86 can initiate and obtain authorization orauthentication for each payment attempt before delivering the requesteditem(s) to the user. The POS application 86 can be programmed toinitiate and obtain the third party service provider paymentauthorization or authentication directly, or the POS application 86 canbe programmed to transmit a request for authorization to the retailstore's POS infrastructure which can obtain payment authorization in thesame or similar manner in which all other host hard card transactionsare authorized at the retail establishment. The POS application 86 canalso initiate and obtain authorization for gift cards or other storedvalue cards.

Payment authorization can occur in one of several different ways. Whenan item is purchased through the automated business system 10, the POSapplication 86 can initiate and obtain approval, utilizing a third partyservice provider, to charge or debit the account number presented by theuser. The approval is generally received before the item(s) aredispensed. When approval is received via the third party serviceprovider, the approval code is associated with the specific transactionand can be stored in the database 82. The item(s) can then be dispensedto the user.

When an item is rented through the automated business system 10, the POSapplication 86 may only initiate and request that the account numberpresented by the user is authentic or valid prior to dispensing theitem(s). When the item(s) are returned to the automated business system10 and the transaction's value is determined, the POS application 86 caninitiate and obtain authorization to charge or debit the account numberpresented by the user for the full transaction value. Alternatively, thePOS application 86 can initiate and obtain authorization, utilizing athird party service provider, to charge or debit the account numberpresented by the user prior to dispensing the item(s).

The POS application 86 is generally fault tolerant. In the event of acommunications failure, such that the automated business system 10cannot authenticate or authorize a transaction, the POS application 86can stop processing the pending transactions or may continue to processtransactions without external authentication or authorization. Theadministrator or owner of the automated business system can determinewhether the POS application 86 can continue to process transactions orcan stop processing the pending transactions. If the administratordetermines that the server 54 should continue to accept transactionswithout the ability for external communications, once externalcommunications are restored, the POS application 86 can obtainauthorization or authentication for all transactions that occurred whileexternal communications were not available.

The POS application 86 can provide a high level of programmingflexibility for the owner of the automated business system 10. Forexample, the POS application 86 can enable the owner to apply any typeof stock keeping unit description for the items within the automatedbusiness system 10. In addition, one field or component of the stockkeeping unit description can accommodate a full motion video file. ThePOS application 86 can be updated periodically to include descriptionsand full motion video files of new items available in the automatedbusiness system 10. The POS application 86 can be updated by insertingan item(s) such that the server 54 can read the RFID tag on the item,can store the information in the database 82, and can update theinventory list and the full motion video files. The POS application 86can also be updated by downloading data from the remote server 74, whichcan be updated with information regarding the new inventory item(s)added to the automated business system 10 and full motion video files.The full motion video file then becomes part of the inventory record ofthe automated business system 10. The user can view the video file(s) atthe display 30 of the consumer interaction system 26 to preview orbetter understand the contents of the item(s) selected or contemplatedfor selection.

The POS application 86 can include a feature or suggestion module 90that can suggest a different item(s) to the user that may be of interestto the user based on certain attributes of the item selected by theuser. In operation, the suggestion module 90 can query the database 82that includes attributes for each item in the automated business system10. For example, to provide a suggestion(s), the suggestion module 90can characterize each item (e.g., media title) across many attributesincluding, but not limited to, feature and supporting cast members,director, author, producer, distributor, subject matter, category, themedia title's rating, the pace of dialog, the tempo of the soundtrack,setting, volume of dialog, complexity of subject matter, complexity ofdialog, degree of violence/aggression, chronological sequencing, age offeature cast members, etc., to identify other items (e.g., media titles)with similar attributes. The attributes of each item aredetermined/quantified by the owner/operator of the automated businesssystem 10 prior to the item being inserted into the automated businesssystem 10.

The suggestion module 90 operates to compare each attribute of theselected item with each attribute of every other item in the automatedbusiness system 10, and a degree of similarity, expressed as apercentage, between the selected item and every other item in theautomated business system 10 is determined/quantified (a suitablesuggestion module 90 is available from Savage Beast or My Best Bets).When the user selects an item (e.g., a media title) to review at theconsumer interaction system 26, additional items (e.g., media titles)that are similar in nature are suggested to the user for review. Thesesuggested items (e.g., media titles) are listed in descending orderbased on the degree of similarity.

The POS application 86 can enable the owner of the automated businesssystem 10 to determine a fee structure that is to be applied to eachtransaction, class of transactions, or all transactions; and also toeach user, class of users, or all users. The POS application 86 canenable the owner of the automated business system 10 to adopt a‘fee-for-transaction’ pricing methodology or alternatively to apply a‘subscription-fee’ pricing methodology. If the subscription fee pricingmethodology is applied, the user pays a monthly (or some other intervalsuch as quarterly or annual) fee in advance to enjoy a specified levelof transaction activity (or unlimited activity) with the automatedbusiness system 10. The level of transaction activity is specified bythe owner of the automated business system 10. The owner of theautomated business system 10 can use a simple, one-tier subscriptionapproach or may adopt a more complex, multiple tier subscriptionapproach. If the ‘fee-for-transaction’ pricing methodology is applied,the user pays an amount for each transaction.

The POS application 86 can also enable the owner of the automatedbusiness system 10 to initiate a complex and systematic in-storepromotional campaign. The promotional campaign can include, but is notlimited to, cross-sell, up-sell and ancillary product promotions. Thepromotional content can be determined based on information gatheredabout the user during the user's interaction with the automated businesssystem 10. The promotion can be issued to the user in a variety of ways,all of which ensure that the user can receive the promotion while theuser remains in the store.

The following methods can be used to issue the promotion to the user: 1)using a pop up dialog box that appears on the consumer interactionsystem 26 while the user is browsing through the items available in theautomated business system 10. The pop up window can indicate the scopeof the promotion and redemption instructions; 2) a printed promotion canbe issued to the user during or after the user's shopping/selectionsession. The printed promotion can be executed in such a way as to bereadable and redeemable at the consumer interaction system 10; 3) anall-digital promotion can be conveyed to the user and applied to theuser's virtual ‘account’ provided the user assents to the promotion. Inthis case the value of the promotion can be associated with the user'saccount to be redeemed during a subsequent, qualifying transaction (onethat satisfies the promotion's requirement or set of requirements).

The POS application 86 can capture data for each user shopping session.This data capture can take place passively by recording each of theuser's choices/selections. Or the data can be captured actively byasking the user to take a brief survey, or to provide an opinion on acertain matter or of a certain product, etc. The POS application 86 cananalyze the data and the results can be used in the most effectivemanner to further the commercial goals of the owner of the automatedbusiness system 10. The POS application 86 can be programmed todisassociate the user's name with the session data captured to ensureconsumer privacy.

The POS application 86 can sequence demand on the automated businesssystem 10 to ensure that each transaction initiated by a user isserviced in the order that it was received. For example, if a pluralityof users have selected one or more items, the POS application 86 candetermine which request was made first and which request was madesecond, etc. The POS application 86 can communicate with the retrievalsystem 58 the order in which to retrieve each item.

The POS application 86 can permit the user to select up to five itemsand request that all items be dispensed in a single transaction. Thefive items can be dispensed through the five-slot array port 46. Theautomated business system 10 can also be expanded to allow the user torequest additional items in a single transaction. Once the request isreceived by the server 54 of the automated business system 10, the POSapplication 86 can transmit a series of commands to the retrieval system58 to retrieve each item requested/selected. The retrieval system 58 isunique in that it can dispense to any port 46 location in the automatedbusiness system 10 to accommodate the plurality of consumer interactionsystems 26. Each port 46 includes a five-slot array that can be servicedby the retrieval system 58. The automated business system 10 can readthe RFID tag on the item as it is dispensed through the port 46 toverify that the correct item is being dispensed.

The automated business system 10 can operate similarly when the userreturns up to five items in a single transaction. During the return, theuser can insert the item(s) into one of the five slots of the port 46,and the automated business system 10 can automatically read the RFID tagmounted on the item(s) and then position the item(s) in an internalstorage position or bin.

The POS application 86 can include a graphical user interface 94 withwhich the user interacts at the consumer interaction system 26. Thegraphical user interface 94 can be presented to the user via the display30 at the consumer interaction system 26. Because the automated businesssystem 10 can hold thousands of items, the graphical user interface 94can present a variety of effective search mechanisms to the user to beable to select the desired item quickly. The graphical user interface 94may also present the most relevant information to the user based on ananalysis of historic transaction activity allowing the user toeffectively and efficiently shop for the desired item(s), and once anitem(s) is selected, to complete the transaction.

The graphical user interface 94 can enable the user to complete atransaction in as few as four actions and/or screen touches. Forexample, the user can approach the automated business system 10 and canselect ‘Movies’, then select a movie title, then select ‘Add To Cart’,then select ‘Complete Order’, and the item will appear at the port 46.As another example, the user can approach the automated business system10 and can select ‘Rent’, then select ‘Category’, then select ‘Drama’,then select a title from a list of items presented, and the item willappear at the port 46.

Upon return of the item(s), the user is not required to interact withthe consumer interaction system 26 in order to execute a return, exceptto place the item(s) in the port 46. If desired, the user can interactwith the display 30 to initiate and complete an item return. Uponrecognizing that an item has been inserted into the port 46, theautomated business system 10 can broadcast a question or message to thedisplay 30 to the corresponding consumer interaction system 26 askingthe user whether or not the user would like a receipt. If the userselects ‘Yes’, a receipt can be issued as soon as the POS application 86has reconciled the transaction. The receipt can be printed by theprinter 42 of the corresponding consumer interaction system 26. If theuser does not react to the query within a predetermined amount of time(e.g., 20 seconds), the automated business system 10 can return thedisplay 30 of the consumer interaction system 26 to idle or to a screensaver mode. The POS application 86 can reconcile and close thetransaction whether or not a receipt is printed.

The graphical user interface 94 can support most foreign languages andtransactions denominated in most currencies to ensure that the automatedbusiness system 10 most appropriately suits the deploymentlocation/geography and user demographic composition.

The automated business system 10 can provide a variety of efficient waysin which the inventory stored within the system can be selected. In oneembodiment, during a selection process, the graphical user interface 94presents various questions and options on the display 30 of the consumerinteraction system 26. The graphical user interface 94 is under controlof the POS application 86 and displays the commands in a user-friendlyformat on the display 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, thegraphical user interface 94 can provide the user with various displayscreens and options. For example, graphical user interface 94 cantransmit display screen 98A and/or 98B to the display 30 and ask theuser for the type of transaction to be performed with the automatedbusiness system 10, e.g., rent an item(s), purchase an item(s), orreturn an item(s) or provide a selection of the different types of media(e.g., movies, games, music) available. If the user selects the optionto rent an item(s) or purchase an item(s) on display screen 98A in FIG.8A, the user is provided with a variety of options to search the itemdatabase 80. For example, the graphical user interface 94 can transmitdisplay screen 102A as illustrated in FIG. 9A to the display 30. Thesearch options can include, but are not limited to, search by a Title, aCategory, an Actor, New Releases, and Critic's Corner.

If the user selects ‘Movies’ on display screen 98B in FIG. 8B, the useris provided with various options to search the item database 80. Forexample, the graphical user interface 94 can transmit display screen102B as illustrated in FIG. 9B to the display 30. The user can searchthe movie titles by alphabetical order and/or search movies based onactor/actress as illustrated in FIG. 9B.

For example, if the user selected the Title search option, the graphicaluser interface 94 can transmit a display screen including letters andnumbers to the display 30. The user is asked to select the letter ornumber presented on the display 30 that corresponds with the firstletter or number found in the item title. The POS application 86 canthen search the database 82 for the titles of the item(s) that satisfythe selected letter(s) and/or numerical entry and can transmit thesearch results (e.g., all item titles that begin with the letter ornumber selected by the user) to the graphical user interface 94 fordisplay on the display 30.

For example, if the user selected the Category search option, thegraphical user interface 94 can transmit a display screen includingvarious category selections, such as types of movies (e.g., mystery,drama, comedy, Oscar winners, etc.) to the display 30. The user is askedto select from the possible item categories, such as types of movies(e.g., mystery, drama, comedy, etc.). The POS application 86 can thensearch the database 82 for the titles of the item(s) that satisfy theselected category and can transmit the search results (e.g., all itemtitles that are associated with the selected category) to the graphicaluser interface 94 for display on the display 30.

For example, if the user selected the Actor search option, the graphicaluser interface 94 can transmit a display screen including a genderselection option to the display 30. The user is asked to select ‘Male’or ‘Female’. If the user selected ‘Female’, the POS application 86 cansearch the database 82 for all female actors featured in anyone of theitems and can transmit the search results to the graphical userinterface 94 for display in an order (e.g., alphabetical order by firstname or last name) on the display 30. If the user selected ‘Male’, thePOS application 86 can search the database 82 for all male actorsfeatured in anyone of the items and can transmit the search results tothe graphical user interface 94 for display in an order (e.g.,alphabetical order by first name or last name) on the display 30. Afterthe user has selected an actor, the POS application 86 can search thedatabase 82 for the item(s) that include the selected actor and cantransmit the search results (e.g., all item titles that include theselected actor) to the graphical user interface 94 for display on thedisplay 30. The graphical user interface 94 can display the results in aparticular order and/or the user can sort the results. For example, theresults can be sorted to reveal the most recently released movie firstand the oldest released movie last. The search results can be sorted inany manner selected by the user.

The actor-based search may include an image of the actor's face next tohis or her name. Studies have determined that often consumers canrecognize a face more readily than they can remember an actor's name.

For example, if the user selected the New Releases search option, thePOS application 86 can search the database 82 for new movie releasesthat have been introduced within a certain period of time (e.g., 120days) and can transmit the search results to the graphical userinterface 94 for display on the display 30. The graphical user interface94 can display the search results in an order based on the date theitem(s) became available at the automated business system 10 and/or whenthe item(s) were first made available to the public. The search resultscan be sorted in any manner selected by the user.

For example, if the user selected the Critic's Corner search option, thegraphical user interface 94 can transmit a display screen including alist of media critics to the display 30. The user is asked to selectfrom the possible media critics. The POS application 86 can then searchthe database 82 for the item(s) recently recommended and/or critiqued bythe selected media critic and can transmit the search results to thegraphical user interface 94 for display at the display 30.

Once the user reaches the title level of the available item(s) (usingany of the search mechanisms described above), the POS application 86can transmit to the graphical user interface 94, a display screen 104illustrated in FIG. 10 including a narrative description of the mediatitle, a corresponding image depicting the media packaging, and a fullmotion preview of the entertainment media selected. The POS application86 can search the database 82 for the selected motion video file (e.g.,motion video trailer) and can transmit the motion video file to thegraphical user interface 94 for display on the display 30. The fullmotion video file can be interrupted at any time by the user or watchedin its entirety. Studies have determined that consumers can achieve amore thorough understanding of the item if they are able to view a fullmotion video trailer about the item.

The user can reserve an item(s) if the particular item(s) is notavailable at the time of the visit. While the user is making a selection(using any of the search mechanisms described above), the POSapplication 86 can determine whether the item(s) is available. The POSapplication 86 and server 54 can execute the user driven searchesrapidly ensuring that the user realizes a near-immediate response. Ifthe item(s) is not available for rent or purchase, the POS application86 can transmit a ‘reserve’ selection to the graphical user interface 94for display on the display 30. The user can select the ‘reserve’ optionto be able to rent or purchase the item(s) when it becomes available.The item(s) can be reserved for a predetermined amount of time after itbecomes available. The server 54 can initiate an email notification tothe user via the network 66 to inform the user that the item(s) hasbecome available. Additionally, once a user has selected anentertainment media title and placed it in a virtual shopping cart(illustrated in FIG. 11 on display screen 108), the unit of inventoryhaving the selected title can be automatically quarantined by the POSapplication 86 to ensure that the selected title is available to theuser upon the user completing the transaction. This feature allows theautomated business system 10 to service many users simultaneously.

The display 30 of the consumer interaction system 26 can display orbroadcast a promotional message and/or scroll when the consumerinteraction system 26 is not in use. The promotion can be designed bythe owner of the automated business system 10 to introduce the automatedbusiness system 10 and can provide incentives to new and/or existingusers.

The automated business system 10 can include the retrieval system 58illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 12-24, and 26-27 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The POS application 86 on the server 54 cancommunicate with the retrieval system 58 to retrieve a particular itemwithin the automated business system 10. The retrieval system 58 caninclude a controller 60 (illustrated in FIG. 3) operable to receivecommands from the POS application 86 and transmit the commands to theretrieval system 58. A suitable controller 60 is the ACR9000 and can beprogrammed in Acrobasic. The retrieval system 58 can support multiplesimultaneous users and can service each user directly at each userstation 22.

The retrieval system 58 is supported by the frame 14. The retrievalsystem 58 includes a multi-axis motion control system operable to storeand retrieve the requested item(s). The retrieval system 58 retrievesthe item(s) from its stored location within the automated businesssystem 10 and delivers the item to the user through the port 46. Theretrieval system 58 accepts a returned item(s) and transports theitem(s) to the nearest available storage bin or prescribed location.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 12, the retrieval system 58 includes aplurality of pairs of guide rails 106 supported by the frame 14.Illustrated in more detail in FIG. 12, the guide rails 106 each includean axis 110 oriented in a generally vertical direction (Y-axis). Thepair of guide rails 106 are laterally spaced apart generally along thelength of the automated business system 10. One pair of guide rails 106supports a driven pulley assembly 114 and a carriage assembly 118. Theother pair of guide rails 106 supports a passive pulley assembly 116.The driven pulley assembly 114 and the passive pulley assembly 116 eachinclude a plurality of sprockets 122 and a conveyor member, such as abelt 126. The conveyor member can include a magnetic rail, a chain, acable, a string, a rope, a flexible elongated member, or the like. Atleast one of the sprockets 122 of the driven pulley assembly 114 and atleast one of the sprockets 122 of the passive pulley assembly 116 can becoupled to a link shaft 124 that can provide a common rotation of thesprockets 122. The link shaft 134 is coupled to a servo motor 130, whichdrives the driven pulley assembly 114. The driven pulley assembly 114 isoperable to move a track, such as a linear positioning table 134, in agenerally vertical direction.

The retrieval system 58 includes a track, such as a linear positioningtable 134, illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 13-14 that is supported bythe carriage assemblies 118 on each pair of guide rails 106. The linearpositioning table 134 includes an axis 138 oriented in a generallyhorizontal direction (X-axis). The linear positioning table 134 includesa driven pulley assembly 142, which includes a plurality of sprockets146, a conveyor member, such as a belt 150, and a servo motor 154. Theconveyor member can include a magnetic rail, a chain, a cable, a string,a rope, a flexible elongated member, or the like. The driven pulleyassembly 142 is operable to move a gripper assembly 158, 158A in agenerally horizontal direction.

The linear positioning table 134 can support the gripper assembly 158,158A, illustrated in FIGS. 14-21. The gripper assembly 158, 158A cantraverse the linear positioning table 134 and can move along the lengthof the automated business system 10 in the horizontal direction. Thegripper assembly 158, 158A is operable to move along about 60 percent toabout 100 percent of the length of the linear positioning table 134. Inanother construction, the gripper assembly 158, 158A can move alongabout 80 percent to about 95 percent of the length of the linearpositioning table 134. In another construction, the gripper assembly158, 158A can move along about 88 percent to about 92 percent of thelength of the linear positioning table 134. The linear positioning table134 can include a proximity sensor that can provide encoder feedbackthat accurately determines the position of the gripper assembly 158 toensure that the gripper assembly 158, 158A does not travel beyond thephysical limits of the linear positioning table 134. The automatedbusiness system 10 can hold more inventory and the gripper assembly 158,158A can access the inventory as a result of the unique construction ofthe linear positioning table 134.

The gripper assembly 158 can include a gripper 162 as illustrated inFIGS. 15-16. The gripper 162 can include a plurality of fingers 166operable to pivot from a first position to a second position, and allpositions in between the first and second positions. The fingers 166 canpivot into the second position to engage the item and to transport theitem to the port 46. Each finger 166 is slotted such that when thefingers 166 engage the item, each finger 166 makes contact with a top, abottom, and a side of the item. The gripper 162 includes a stepper motor170 operable to control the movement of the fingers 166 from the firstposition to the second position, and all positions in between the firstand second positions. This arrangement of the fingers 166 and method ofgripping the item consumes less energy and more securely holds andcontrols the item while the item is being transported from its storagelocation to the port 46.

The gripper assembly 158 can include a carriage, such as anextend/retract device 174 as illustrated in FIGS. 15, 17, and 19. Theextend/retract device 174 supports the gripper 162. The extend/retractdevice 174 can include a table 176. The extend/retract device 174 caninclude a pair of guide rails 178 supported by the table 176. The guiderails 178 can support a driven pulley system 182. The driven pulleysystem 182 can include a drive pulley 186, a plurality of idler rollers190, a conveyor member, such as belt 194, and a servo motor 198. Theconveyor member can include a magnetic rail, a chain, a cable, a string,a rope, a flexible elongated member, or the like. The guide rails 178include an axis 202 oriented in a generally horizontal direction (Zaxis) and in a generally perpendicular orientation with respect to thelinear positioning table axis 138. The driven pulley system 182 isoperable to move the gripper 162 from a first position to a secondposition, and all positions in between the first and second positions.The driven pulley system 182 allows the gripper 162 to move toward andaway from the front and back sides of the automated business system 10.The extend/retract device 174 can include a flange 206 having anaperture 210.

The gripper assembly 158 can include a rotate device 214 as illustratedin FIGS. 15 and 18. The rotate device 214 includes a carriage 218 and adriven pulley system 222. The carriage 218 supports the driven pulleysystem 222. The driven pulley system 222 includes a drive pulley 226, asprocket 230, a conveyor member, such as a belt 234, and a stepper motor238. The conveyor member can include a magnetic rail, a chain, a cable,a string, a rope, a flexible elongated member, or the like. The sprocket230 includes a shaft 242 operable to receive the flange 206 through theaperture 210 of the extend/retract system 174. The driven pulley system222 is operable to rotate the gripper clamping system 162 at least 180degrees in the clockwise and counter clockwise directions. The rotatesystem 214 can include a deadweight counterbalance to reduce energyconsumption and support the gripper assembly 158 while at rest.

The gripper assembly 158 can include a RFID device 246 as illustrated inFIG. 19. The RFID device 246 includes a RFID antenna 250 and RFID readermodule 254 supported by the extend/retract device 174. The RFID antenna250 and RFID reader module 254 can be positioned beneath the guide rails178 of the extend/retract device 174 and can rotate with the gripper 162when the rotate device 214 is activated. The RFID device 246 is operableto read a RFID tag located within the item(s) (e.g., the RFID tag isinside the holding case of the disc-based media).

In another embodiment, the retrieval system 58 can include a gripperassembly 158A illustrated in FIGS. 20-21. The gripper assembly 158A caninclude a gripper 162A. The gripper 162A can include a plurality offingers 166A operable to move from a first position to a secondposition, and all positions in between the first and second positions.The fingers 166A can move into the second position to engage the itemand to transport the item to a carriage, such as an extend/retractdevice 174A. The gripper 162A includes a stepper motor 170A operable tocontrol the movement of the fingers 166A from the first position to thesecond position, and all positions in between the first and secondpositions. This arrangement of the fingers 166A and method of grippingthe item consumes less energy and more securely holds and controls theitem while the item is being transported from its storage location tothe extend/retract device 174A.

The gripper assembly 158A can include a carriage, such as anextend/retract device 174A as illustrated in FIGS. 20-21. Theextend/retract device 174A supports the gripper 162A. The extend/retractdevice 174A can include a table 176A that supports a pair of guide rails178A. One of the guide rails 178A can support a driven pulley system182A. The driven pulley system 182A can include a drive pulley 186A, aplurality of idler rollers 190A, a conveyor member, such as belt 194A,and a servo motor 198A. The conveyor member can include a magnetic rail,a chain, a cable, a string, a rope, a flexible elongated member, or thelike. The guide rails 178A include an axis 202A oriented in a generallyhorizontal direction (Z axis) and in a generally perpendicularorientation with respect to the linear positioning table axis 138. Thedriven pulley system 182A is operable to move the gripper 162A from afirst position to a second position, and all positions in between thefirst and second positions. The driven pulley system 182A allows thegripper 162A to move toward and away from the front and back sides ofthe automated business system 10. The table 176A can support a drivenpulley system 184A that is operable to move an item from a firstposition to a second position, and all positions in between the firstand second positions. The driven pulley system 184A can include a drivepulley 188A, a plurality of idler rollers 192A, a conveyor member, suchas belt 196A, and a servo motor 200A. The conveyor member can include amagnetic rail, a chain, a cable, a string, a rope, a flexible elongatedmember, or the like. The extend/retract device 174A can include a sensor208A operable to detect the location of the item while positioned on thetable 176A.

The gripper assembly 158A can include a RFID device 246A as illustratedin FIGS. 20-21. The RFID device 246A includes a RFID antenna 250A andRFID reader module 254A supported by the extend/retract device 174A. Thetable 176A includes an aperture 204A through which the RFID readermodule 254A can read the RFID tag on the item. The RFID antenna 250A andRFID reader module 254A can be positioned beneath the guide rails 178Aof the extend/retract device 174A. The RFID device 246A is operable toread a RFID tag located within the item(s) (e.g., the RFID tag is insidethe holding case of the disc-based media).

The connections between the components and assemblies in the retrievalsystem 58 are not limited to the manner of assembly described. Thecomponents and assemblies can be connected to one another in a differentmanner and/or could be connected to other components or systems.

The retrieval system 58 includes a multi-axis motion controller 60supported by the housing 18. The motion controller 60 can communicatewith the server 54. The movement commands of the retrieval system 58 canbe stored in a motion controller software application 258 (“motioncontrol application 258”). The motion control application 258 cancommunicate with the POS application 86, which manages the transactionaldata of the automated business system 10. The motion control application258 can transmit the movement commands to move the components andassemblies of the retrieval system 58 to retrieve and replace the items.The motion control application 258 can also transmit additional commandsto other systems or components in the automated business system 10.

The motion control application 258 can transmit commands that allow theretrieval system 58 to service any storage bin or input/output positionon the front and back face of the automated business system 10.Referring to FIGS. 22-24, the interior of the housing 18 can support aplurality of storage racks 262, which can be specifically designed toaccommodate the particular items in the automated business system 10.For example, customized slots or bins 266 can be used to supportdisc-based media, such as CDs, and DVDs. The bins 270 can include a highfriction material 270, such as rubber, resin, synthetic materials, etc.to better secure the disc-based media. The storage racks 262 can besupported on any of the interior surfaces of the housing 18. In oneconstruction of the invention, the storage racks 262 are supported onthe interior front surface 274 and the interior rear surface 278 of theautomated business system 10. The storage racks 262 include a pluralityof storage columns 282, and each storage column 282 is comprised ofhundreds of storage bins 266. The storage columns 282 are placedadjacent to one another along the length of the interior front surface274 and the interior rear surface 278 to maximize internal storagecapacity. The storage racks 262 can include gaps between the storagecolumns 282 to accommodate the ports 46 that service each consumerinteraction system 26. The storage racks 262 can have a differentconfiguration than described and illustrated to accommodate any item tobe dispensed from the automated business system 10.

In one embodiment of the invention, the automated business system 10 canstore disc-based media 286. Referring to FIG. 25, each disc-based media286 is placed in a holding case or other storage component, such as aslim jewel box, to protect the disc-based media 286 during transport andstorage. The automated business system 10 can accommodate the same sizeddisc-based media 286 (e.g., CDs and DVDs) or a variety of differentlysized disc-based media 286 (e.g., mini discs) based on the size of theholding case.

The automated business system 10 can include a discrete uninterruptiblepower supply 288 (“UPS”). In the event of a power interruption, the UPSensures that the retrieval system 58 can conduct a controlled shut down,complete all in-process user transactions, and return the multi-axismotion control system safely to its home position.

The automated business system 10 can include an identification andtracking system 278 that utilizes RFID technology. The identificationand tracking system 290 includes a RFID tag 294 attached to each item.For example, the RFID tag 294 can be attached to the CD and the DVDrather than the holding case (illustrated in FIG. 25). Theidentification and tracking system 290 also includes a tracking softwareapplication 298 that can communicate with the RFID system 246, 246A(described above). The tracking software application 298 can reside onthe server 54 (illustrated in FIG. 3) and can identify the location andstatus of each item. The automated business system 10 is not limited toRFID technology, but may include any wireless communication system toidentify and track an item.

Referring to FIG. 26, the identification and tracking system 290includes an interrogator or powered antenna 302 and a plurality ofsensors 304. The sensors 304 can be positioned in each slot of thefive-slot array of the port 46. When an item is inserted into one of theslots of the port 46, the sensor 304 of the respective slot can sensethe presence of an item. The sensor 304 can transmit a signal to themotion control application 258, which can transmit a command to theretrieval system 58 to retrieve the item. The gripper assembly 158, 158Acan retrieve the item, position the item on the table 176, 176A, andread the identifying information stored on the RFID tag 294 on the item.This identifying information is then associated with a transactionstored in the database 82. The transaction can be the introduction of anew item or the return of an existing item. The POS application 86 then.instructs the retrieval system 58 to store the item in a prescribedstorage bin 266 in the storage rack 262. If the REID information readduring this process. cannot be reconciled with the database 82, thegripper assembly 158, 158A is instructed to return the unrecognized itemto the same port 46 from which the item was retrieved. In anotherconstruction, the gripper assembly 158, 158A may be instructed to storethe unrecognized item in a prescribed storage bin 266 for lateradministrative review.

The interrogator 302 is comprised of an antenna and is an integralcomponent of the gripper assembly 158, 158A. This configuration enablesthe interrogator 302 to read all items inserted into any slot of theport 46. This configuration also enables the automated business system10 to validate the identity of all items upon dispensing the inventoryas a secondary assurance that the correct item is being dispensed to theuser. This configuration also enables the automated business system 10to take a complete physical inventory at any time or programmed intervaldesired by the owner or system administrator. An anti-collisionalgorithm built into the antenna software ensures that each item is onlyread once.

The integrated chip used on the RFID tag 294 possesses 1,024 bytes ofread/write memory. Less than 200 bytes of this read/write memory areconsumed by the unique alphanumeric identifier recorded to the chipduring its manufacture. This unique identifier cannot be overwritten.The interrogator 302 has the capability to transmit data to the RFID tag294 where the data can be stored. By virtue of the RFID chip'sread/write memory capacity and the fact that the chip resides on theRFID tag 294, which is mounted directly on the disc torus or otherlocation of the item, the automated business system 10 can record theentire transaction history of each disc-based media or item directlyonto the disc itself or into a storage memory component. Theinterrogator 302 has the capability of reading all 1,024 bytes ofinformation stored on the RFID chip.

The RFID tagging approach is not a line of site technology. As a result,the RFID tag is readable regardless of how the holding case or item isinserted into the port 46.

The automated. business system 10, according to one construction of theinvention, utilizes a circular form factor 13.56 megahertz RFID tag 294that uniquely identifies each disc-based media or item. The RFID tag 294is applied to the torus or other location of each disc-based media orother location on a non-disc-based media item prior to being insertedinto the automated business system 10. The RFID tag 294 includes anintegrated chip, which is uniquely identified during its manufacture.Since the manufacturer of the chip adheres to international standards,the disc identification is unique unto the universe of all chips of thisnature.

In one embodiment of the invention, an automated business system 500 cangenerate disc-based media on demand. For example, the user can requestrental and/or purchase of a particular movie, music or game title, andthe automated business system 500 can generate a new DVD or CD bywriting a movie file, a music file or a game title to the DVD or CD,respectively. For example, if the user requests rental and/or purchaseof particular movie, music or game title, and the particular movie ormusic title is not available at that time, the automated business system500 can automatically generate the movie, music title or game title bywriting a movie file, a music file or a game file to a DVD or CD,respectively.

The automated business system 500 illustrated in FIG. 27, according toone embodiment of the invention, can include a plurality of blank discs504 and holding cases for the blank discs 504 in addition to thecomponents and systems described above for the automated business system10. The database 82 can include a plurality of movie files 508, aplurality of music files 512, and a plurality of game files 514. Themovie files 508, the music files 512, and the game files 514 can bestored in the database 82 in a compressed format (e.g., MPEG-2 format orany other advanced MPEG format) or in an uncompressed format. Theautomated business system 500 can include a disc-based media writer 516operable to write or record the movie files 508, the music files 512,and the game files 514 onto a blank disc 504. The automated businesssystem 500 can include a MPEG-2 encoder 520 (or any other advanced MPEGformat or other compressible format encoder) operable to compress themovie files 508, the music files 512, and the game files 514 if storedin the database 82 in an uncompressed format, prior to being transmittedto the disc-based media writer 516.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the method of theinvention. The user can swipe (at 524) a card through the card reader 34at the consumer interaction system 26 to interact with the automatedbusiness system 500. It should be noted that the user can swipe a cardthrough the card reader 34 at any time during the process. The user doesnot need to swipe a card through the card reader 34 to begin theprocess. The graphical user interface 94 can provide (at 528) selectionoptions on the display 30 for the type of transaction to be performedwith the automated business system 500. The user can select (at 532)‘Rent’, ‘Purchase’ or ‘Return’ from display screen 98A illustrated inFIG. 8A or ‘Movies’ or ‘Games’ from display screen 98B illustrated inFIG. 8B. If the user selects ‘Rent’ or ‘Purchase’ from display screen98A or ‘Movies’ or ‘Games’ from display screen 98B, the graphical userinterface 94 can provide (at 536) search options on the display 30 tosearch the items in the database 82 of the automated business system500. The user can make (at 540) a selection of one or more items to rentor purchase. Based on the selection(s), the POS application 86 cantransmit (at 544) commands to the motion control application 258, whichcan instruct the retrieval system 58 to locate the disc-based mediaselection(s) in the storage rack 262. The linear positioning table 134of the retrieval system 58 can move (at 548) along the guide rails 106in the vertical direction (Y axis) to the row of the storage rack 262 inwhich one of the disc-based media selections is located. Next, thegripper assembly 158, 158A can move (at 552) along the linearpositioning table 134 in the horizontal direction (X-axis) to thestorage column 282 of the storage rack 262 in which the disc-based mediaselection is located. The gripper 162, 162A can move (at 556) along(Z-axis) the guide rails 178, 178A of the extend/retract device 174,174A to get closer to the disc-based media selection. The fingers 166,166A of the gripper 162, 162A can engage (at 560) the disc-based mediaselection and the gripper 162, 162A can retract (at 564) along the guiderails 178, 178A. The RFID antenna 250 and RFID reader module 254 canread (at 568) the RFID tag 294 on the disc-based media 286 selection.The RFID reader module 254 can transmit (at 572) the information readfrom the RFID tag 294 to the tracking software application 298 where theinformation can be stored. The tracking software application 298 cantransmit (at 576) the information to the POS application 86. The gripperassembly 158, 158A can deliver (at 580) the disc-based media selectionto the port 46 where the disc-based media selection is inserted into oneof the slots. During the course of this movement, the interrogator 302can read (at 584) the RFID tag 294 to verify that the disc-based mediais the item that was selected. The user can be charged for the purchaseof the item at any time after the selection has been made. The user canbe charge for the rental of the item at any time after the selection hasbeen made and/or upon return of the item.

Referring to FIGS. 29-30, if the user selected ‘Return’ on displayscreen 98A at act 532, the graphical user interface 94 can instruct (at588) the user to insert the disc-based media in the port 46. Theinterrogator 302 can read (at 592) the RFID tag 294 on the item toidentify the disc-based media. The interrogator 302 can transmit (at596) the identification information to the tracking software application298 to associate the return with the rental transaction. The trackingsoftware application 298 can transmit (at 600) the information to thePOS application 86. The POS application 86 can determine (at 604) if thecorrect disc-based media item is being returned. If the correctdisc-based media was inserted in the port 46, the POS application cantransmit (at 608) a completion-type of message to the graphical userinterface 94 to display on the display 30. The graphical user interface94 can display (at 612) an option of whether the user would like areceipt. If the user selects ‘Yes’, the POS application 86 can transmit(at 616) a command to the printer 42 to print a receipt.

If the incorrect disc-based media is inserted in the port 46, the POSapplication 86 can transmit (at 620) an error-type of message and a‘Help’ option to the graphical user interface 94 to display on thedisplay 30. At this point, the user can retrieve the disc-based mediafrom the port 46 and verify that the correct disc is being returned andcan reinsert the disc-based media in the port 46. Acts 588-620 arerepeated, as necessary. The user can select the ‘Help’ option on thedisplay 30 for assistance.

Referring to FIG. 30, if the correct disc-based media is inserted in theport 46, the POS application 86 can transmit (at 624) a command to themotion control application 258, which can instruct the retrieval system58 to retrieve the disc-based media from the port 46. The linearpositioning table 134 of the retrieval system 58 can move (at 628) alongthe guide rails 106 in the vertical direction (Y axis) to the locationof the port 46 where the returned disc-based media is located. Next, thegripper assembly 158, 158A can move (at 632) along the linearpositioning table 134 in the horizontal direction (X-axis) to thelocation of the port 46 where the returned disc-based media is located.The gripper 162, 162A can move (at 636) along (Z-axis) the guide rails178, 178A of the extend/retract device 174, 174A to get closer to thedisc-based media. The fingers 166, 166A of the gripper 162, 162A canengage (at 640) the disc-based media and the gripper 162, 162A canretract (at 644) along the guide rails 178, 178A. The POS application 86can instruct (at 648) the motion control application 258 to position thedisc-based media in a particular bin 266 of the storage rack 262. ThePOS application 86 can store (at 652) the location of the disc-basedmedia in the database 82. The user can be charged for the rental of theitem at any time after the selection has been made and/or upon return ofthe item.

FIGS. 31-32 illustrate another embodiment of a method of the invention.A user can return an item(s) by positioning it in one of the slots ofthe port 46. The sensor 304 of the respective slot can sense (at 700)the presence of the item. The sensor 304 can transmit (at 704) a signalto the motion control application 258, which can instruct (at 708) theretrieval system 58 to retrieve the disc-based media from the port 46.The linear positioning table 134 of the retrieval system 58 can move (at712) along the guide rails 106 in the vertical direction (Y axis) to thelocation of the port 46 where the returned disc-based media is located.Next, the gripper assembly 158, 158A can move (at 716) along the linearpositioning table 134 in the horizontal direction (X-axis) to thelocation of the port 46 where the returned disc-based media is located.The gripper 162, 162A can move (at 718) along (Z-axis) the guide rails178, 178A of the extend/retract device 174, 174A to get closer to thedisc-based media. The fingers 166, 166A of the gripper 162, 162A canengage (at 720) the disc-based media and the gripper 162, 162A canretract (at 724) along the guide rails 178, 178A and position (at 728)the disc-based media on the table 176, 176A. The RFID reader 254, 254Acan read (at 732) the RFID tag 294 on the item to identify thedisc-based media. The RFID reader 254, 254A can transmit (at 736) theidentification information to the tracking software application 298 toassociate the return with a rental transaction. The tracking softwareapplication 298 can transmit (at 740) the information to the POSapplication 86. The POS application 86 can determine (at 744) if thecorrect disc-based media item is being returned. If the correctdisc-based media was inserted in the port 46, the POS application cantransmit (at 748) a completion-type of message to the graphical userinterface 94 to display on the display 30. The graphical user interface94 can display (at 752) an option of whether the user would like areceipt. If the user selects ‘Yes’, the POS application 86 can transmit(at 756) a command to the printer 42 to print a receipt. The POSapplication 86 can instruct (at 760) the motion control application 258to position the disc-based media in a particular bin 266 of the storagerack 262. The POS application 86 can store (at 764) the location of thedisc-based media in the database 82. The user can be charged for therental of the item at any time after the selection has been made and/orupon return of the item.

If the incorrect disc-based media is inserted in the port 46, the POSapplication 86 can transmit (at 768) an error-type of message and a‘Help’ option to the graphical user interface 94 to display on thedisplay 30. At this point, the user can retrieve the disc-based mediafrom the port 46 and verify that the correct disc is being returned andcan reinsert the disc-based media in the port 46. Acts 700-768 arerepeated, as necessary. The user can select the ‘Help’ option on thedisplay 30 for assistance.

In one embodiment of a method of the invention, the automated businesssystem 10,500 can handle the return of a plurality of disc-based mediaitems in a single transaction. The user can insert the disc-based mediaitems at relatively the same time in the separate slots of the port 46.The interrogator 302 within each slot of the port 46 can read the RFIDtag 294 on each disc-based media item. The automated business system10,500 in this embodiment can perform acts 588-652 in the same orsimilar manner as described above when handling a plurality of returneddisc-based media items in the same transaction. Alternatively, thesensor 304 in each slot can detect the presence of the disc-based mediaand the gripper assembly 158, 158A can retrieve each disc-based media toread the RFID tag 294 on each disc-based media. The automated businesssystem 10,500 can perform acts 700-768 in the same or similar manner asdescribed above.

In one embodiment of the invention, the automated business system 10,500can dispense a plurality of disc-based media items in the sametransaction. The user can make a plurality of selections in the sametransaction, the retrieval system 58 can retrieve each selection anddispense each selection individually. The automated business system 10,500 in this embodiment can perform acts 524-584 in the same or similarmanner as described above when dispensing a plurality of disc-basedmedia items in the same transaction. Alternatively, the user can make aplurality of selections in the same transaction, the retrieval system 58can retrieve each selection, and place each selection in one of theslots in the port 46 at a holding position where the user cannot accessthe selections. When the last selection is positioned in one of theslots, the retrieval system 58 can push all of the selections into theport 46.

FIG. 33 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the method of theinvention. The automated business system 10,500 can take a physicalinventory of items within the automated business system 10,500 at anytime. A user can access (at 656) the remote administrative terminal 62and/or can access the automated business system 10,500 to take aninventory. The remote administrative terminal 62 can communicate (at660) with the server 54, which can communicate with the retrieval system58 and the identification and tracking system 290 to initiate theinventory process. The retrieval system 58 can instruct (664) thegripper assembly 158, 158A to move to each bin 266 in the storage rack262. While at each bin 266, the gripper assembly 158, 158A can determine(at 668) if an item is present. If an item is present in the bin 266,the gripper assembly 158, 158A can remove (at 672) the item from the bin266. While the item is removed from the bin, the RFID system 246, 246Acan read (at 676) the RFID tag 294 on the item. The read information canbe transmitted (at 680) to the identification and tracking system 290 tostore the read information. The retrieval system 58 can determine (at684) whether the gripper assembly 158, 158A is at the last bin 266. Ifthe gripper assembly 158, 158A is not at the last bin 266, the retrievalsystem 58 repeats act 664 and instructs the gripper assembly 158, 158Ato move to the next bin 266. If the gripper assembly 158, 158A is at thelast bin 266, the retrieval system 158, 158A can instruct theidentification and tracking system 290 to compile (at 688) the resultsof the inventory process and can transmit (at 692) the results to theremote administrative computer terminal 62 as well as the database 82.If an item is not present in the bin 266 at act 668, the retrievalsystem 58 can determine (at 684) whether the gripper assembly 158, 158Ais at the last bin 266. If the gripper assembly 158, 158A is not at thelast bin 266, the retrieval system 58 repeats act 664 and instructs thegripper assembly 158, 158A to move to the next bin 266. If the gripperassembly 158, 158A is at the last bin 266, the retrieval system 58 caninstruct the identification and tracking system 290 to compile (at 688)the results of the inventory process and can transmit (at 692) theresults to the remote administrative computer terminal 62.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the method of theinvention. The owner of the automated business system 10,500 can addinventory items without having to open the automated business system10,500. The automated business system 10,500 includes a door 306operable to open and provide access to the interior of the housing 18.Items can be added to inventory by manually positioning the items in abin 266 and initiating an inventory process as described above.Alternatively, the owner of the automated business system 10,500 caninsert (at 800) items in the port 46 that are to be added to theinventory. One or more items can be inserted in the port 46 at the sametime. The identification and tracking system 290 can automaticallydetect (at 804) the items in the port 46. The interrogator 302 can read(at 808) the RFID tag 294 on each item. The interrogator 302 cantransmit (at 812) the identification information to the trackingsoftware application 298. The tracking software application 298 cancompare (at 816) the identification information to rental transactionsstored in the database 82. Because the identification information is newto the automated business system 10,500, the identification informationwould not be associated with a rental transaction. The tracking softwareapplication 298 can add (at 820) the item to inventory. The trackingsoftware application 298 can transmit (at 824) the new inventoryinformation to the POS application 86. The POS application can instruct(at 828) the retrieval system 58 to retrieve the item from the port 46and position the new item in a bin 266. When new items are added toinventory, the server 54 can access (at 832) the remote server 74 toupdate inventory records and download video and sound files associatedwith the new item.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the method of theinvention. The owner of the automated business system 10,500 can addinventory items without having to open the automated business system10,500. The automated business system 10,500 includes a door 306operable to open and provide access to the interior of the housing 18.Items can be added to inventory by manually positioning the items in abin 266 and initiating an inventory process as described above.Alternatively, the owner of the automated business system 10,500 caninsert (at 840) items in the port 46 that are to be added to theinventory. One or more items can be inserted in the port 46 at the sametime. The sensor 304 can automatically detect (at 844) the items in theport 46. The sensor 304 can transmit (at 848) a signal to the motioncontrol application 258, which can instruct (at 852) the retrievalsystem 58 to retrieve the disc-based media from the port 46. The gripperassembly 158, 158A can retrieve (at 856) the disc-based media andposition (at 860) the disc-based media on the table 176, 176A. The RFIDreader 254, 254A can read (at 864) the RFID tag 294 on each item. TheRFID reader can transmit (at 868) the identification information to thetracking software application 298. The tracking software application 298can compare (at 872) the identification information to rentaltransactions stored in the database 82. Because the identificationinformation is new to the automated business system 10,500, theidentification information would not be associated with a rentaltransaction. The tracking software application 298 can add (at 876) theitem to inventory. The tracking software application 298 can transmit(at 880) the new inventory information to the POS application 86. ThePOS application 86 can instruct (at 884) the retrieval system 58 toposition the new item in a bin 266. When new items are added toinventory, the server 54 can access (at 888) the remote server 74 toupdate inventory records and download video and sound files associatedwith the new item. Alternatively, new inventory information can bedownloaded to the database 80 in anticipation of new inventory to beadded. Once the new inventory is added the POS application 86 then makesthis inventory available for any subsequent transaction.

In one embodiment of the invention, the automated business system 10 canstore items other than disc-based media 286 that are desirable to berented or purchased. In one embodiment of the invention, the automatedbusiness system 10 can dispense health and beauty aids (e.g.,over-the-counter medications, cosmetics, toiletries, etc.). Theautomated business system 10 can be modified accordingly. For example,the storage racks 262 can be modified to accommodate the various sizesof health and beauty products. Users of the automated business system 10can answer various questions to receive a recommendation for aproduct(s). In the retail environment, users generally have to readlabels to determine which product(s) to purchase. Rather than having toread all of the product labels, the POS application 86 can generatequestions and based on the answers, the POS application can recommend aproduct(s) to the user. The POS application 86 can be modified togenerate various questions related to the users' need for certainproducts and the graphical user interface 94 can be modified to displaythe various questions. For example, the POS application 86 can generatequestions that relate to symptoms, age, most likely time that theproduct will be used, etc. and, the POS application 86 can recommend acertain product that satisfies all or most of the answers provided bythe user. Each product can include a RFID tag 294, and the automatedbusiness system IO can operate in the same or similar manner asdescribed above.

FIG. 36 illustrates multiple automated business systems 10,500 coupledvia a network 900 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thenetwork 900 can be built according to any networking technology ortopology or combinations of technologies and topologies and may includemultiple sub-networks. Connections between the server 54 and the network66 can be made through local area networks (“LANs”), wide area networks(“WANs”), public switched telephone networks (“PSTNs”), Intranets, theInternet, and/or any other suitable networks. The two-way arrows in FIG.36 represent two-way communication and information transfer between thenetwork 66 and the automated business systems 10,500.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A method of dispensing disc-based media, the method comprising:selecting a disc-based media; determining if the selected disc-basedmedia is available; and generating the disc-based media if the selecteddisc-based media is not available.
 2. A method of taking inventory of adisc-based media system, the method comprising: accessing the disc-basedmedia system with a remote computer terminal; initiating an inventoryprocess including instructing a disc-based media retrieval system tobegin inventory process, moving the disc-based media retrieval system toeach storage position within the disc-based media system, and if adisc-based media is in one of the storage positions, reading a radiofrequency tag on the disc-based media; and outputting results of theinventory process to the remote computer terminal.
 3. The method ofclaim 2 further comprising removing each disc-based media from itsstorage position to read the radio frequency tag.